Much-loved neighbourhood bar Prudence was evacuated on Friday evening after a fire broke out at the back of the venue, sending black smoke billowing across North Melbourne.
According to a statement released by Melbourne Fire Brigade, around 30 firefighters responded to an emergency call just before 5pm. Police and paramedics were also on the scene.
Within five minutes of the emergency call, fire crews arrived to discover timber fittings in the large outdoor courtyard ablaze. The fire was brought under control by around 5.30pm and did not spread to the interior or the main bar.
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Join NowAll staff and customers were evacuated safely and as of Friday evening no injuries have been reported.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
On Sunday, the Prudence team posted a statement on Facebook.
"The management and staff at Prudence would like to thank everyone for their expressions of sympathy, good wishes and ongoing support, and that we hope to be able to reopen in some form in the next couple of weeks."
This article was updated on Monday October 14.
Fire in North Melbourne at #prudencebar on Howard st hope everyone is okay pic.twitter.com/QptEnRgOM6
— Jade Florence (@jade_florence_) October 11, 2019
Massive fire at rear of property on Victoria St, North Melbourne. Police diverting traffic. pic.twitter.com/VTO01lCvpb
— 🌵The Succulent Thief 🌵 (@Hincerooney) October 11, 2019
Not much left of Prudence’s beer garden. It’s two minutes away & one of Melbourne’s best bars. Let’s hope she rises again #prudencebar #fire pic.twitter.com/Iq8BTjJXHr
— Fiona Gruber (@FionaGruber) October 11, 2019
Active fire in North Melbourne pic.twitter.com/IgPXodpVls
— Peter Tingate (@ptingate) October 11, 2019